Successfully complete the indicated task to unlock the corresponding skin in Multiplayer mode:

Anthony Carmine: Successfully complete Act 1 in the original Gears Of War (have any Act 1 achievement unlocked from that game).

Dizzy Wallin: Successfully complete Act 1 in Single Player mode.

Flame Grenadier: Successfully complete Act 4 in Single Player mode.

Kantus: Successfully complete Act 2 in Single Player mode.

Lt. Minh Young Kim: Find 10 COG tags in the original Gears Of War (have the "Time To Remember" achivement unlocked from that game).

RAAM: Defeat RAAM in the original Gears Of War (have the "A Dish Best Served Cold" achievement unlocked from that game).

Skorge: Successfully complete Act 5 in Single Player mode.

Tai Kaliso: Successfully complete Act 3 in Single Player mode.

Bonus Gamerpics

Successfully complete Campaign mode on the Insane difficulty to unlock a Gamerpic of Marcus. Get the "Seriously 2.0" achievement to unlock another Gamerpic of Marcus. Get the "Friends With Benefits" achievement to unlock a Gamerpic of Marcus and Dom. With the Collector's Edition of the game, insert the bonus disc, and go to "Gamer Pictures" to unlock both sets. One set has COG and the other has Locust.

Star rank

When you reach rank 100, instead of "100" appearing as your rank, you will instead have a star. This indicates it as being the highest rank possible.

Using any regular weapon with Boomshield

While standing above a Boomshield, equip your pistol. Perform a melee attack, then quickly press X + D-pad Left or Right. If done correctly, you should now be using whatever weapon was in the left or right slot with your Boomshield equipped. Note: This will not work with the Mulcher or Mortar, as they do not occupy an actual weapon slot.

Neck break

While in front of a downed enemy, press X + A. This will automatically break the enemy's neck from any direction quickly and effectively without picking the enemy up first.

Kung fu flip

Take cover behind anything you can jump over, such as a Boom Shield. Quickly press Up + A, then press A again. Wait a split second, then press Down + A.

Easy Flame Grenadier kills

To easily kill a Flame Grenadier, shoot the fuel tanks on its back. It will then become a very large mobile grenade. Do not stand too close to it or you will be downed or killed.

Skipping cinematics

Press Back to skip the cinematic sequences. Whenever Marcus is talking to control (he will have a finger on his ear) or to Alpha 2, you can also them. Marcus will sometimes say something similar to "Don't wanna here it" or "Quit yapping".

Hidden sequence

When the "Gears Of War: Press Start" screen appears, do not press Start. Allow the game to idle for a few minutes, and a bonus video will begin to play.

Hidden message

Successfully complete the game, and allow the credits to end to view a secret message.

Cowboy hat easter egg

Play Act 1: Chapter 3 - "Rolling Thunder" on the Insane difficulty. Shoot the three hidden cowboy hats at the start of the chapter. You and the other COG will wear cowboy hats for the rest of the level. Additionally, a Corpser will also be wearing a cowboy hat.

Toaster easter egg

In Act 4: Chapter 5 - "The Best-Laid Plans", after meeting Dom (or Marcus if co-op) again, walk to the end of the hallway where Locust ammunition boxes are found. Shoot the pedestal in the center along the wall, then press X to reveal a hidden toaster that will pop some toast.

Collectible locations

The 41 Collectibles can be found at the following locations:

Act 1: Tip Of The Spear

Chapter 1: Welcome To Delta

Collectible 01: The Eagle Newspaper

When the chapter begins, make sure to select the "Training" option. Immediately after you begin, go down the alley, and look on the ground for The Eagle Newspaper; it is in the middle of the street.

Once you drop down the ladder at the end of the training area, go right, and enter the garage to find the Ambulance Driver's Log.

Chapter 2: Desperation

Collectible 03: Doctor's Journal

After your first encounter with the Locusts in the hospital, you will be in a long room overlooking the floor below you. Go to the left of the room and into a small adjacent room to find the Doctor's Journal.

Collectible 04: Jacinto Medical Center File

A few rooms ahead you will find a large, enclosed reception desk in the center of the room. Check the floor inside to find the Jacinto Medical Center File.

Collectible 05: COG Letterhead

Right beside the cafeteria is a small room with a desk and a computer. Inside this room is the COG Letterhead.

Collectible 06: COG Proclamation

The COG Proclamation is on the second floor of the hospital's lobby, near some ammo just as you enter the room.

Collectible 07: COG Tags - Private Dylan Murphy

As soon as you exit the hospital, turn right to find the tags behind a pillar.

Chapter 3: Rolling Thunder

Collectible 08: Grindlift Spec Sheet

The Grindlift Spec Sheet is right behind you as you start, on the wall.

Collectible 09: Ammo Requisition Form

When you get off the rig to defend Dizzy, check to the left of the rig. It is near some bushes and ammo.

Chapter 5: Roadblocks

Collectible 10: Jacinto Sentinel Newspaper

In the first building you enter in this chapter, check upstairs. The Jacinto Sentinel Newspaper is near some grenades.

Collectible 11: Memorial Inscription

After getting rid of the Tickers, check the wall of the war memorial to find the Memorial Inscription.

Collectible 12: Landown Delivery Driver's Note

This Collectible can be found on the floor at the back of the Imulsion station.

Collectible 13: COG Tags - Private Samuel Lee

About half way through the tunnel, your way is blocked by wrecked cars. Before you go up the short set of steps that bring you to these cars, check to the left to find a room with the tags inside.

Act 2: Denizens

Chapter 2: Indigenous Creatures

Collectible 14: Gear Journal

When you find the second Rockworm, go left, and cut through the vines. You will find a Grindlift, some ammo, and the journal here.

Collectible 15: Kantus Scroll

After you reach the top of the spire and kill the Reaver that appears, you can find the Kantus Scroll behind the Troika at the back of the platform.

Chapter 3: Disturbing Revelations

Collectible 16: Locust Emblem

After your first encounter in this chapter with Drones, Wretches, and Kantus, go through the doors to find the Locust Emblem near some ammo.

Chapter 4: Sinking Feeling

Collectible 17: Ilima Help Wanted Ad

Go up the path and to the right of the Bloodmounts. It is on the overlook that faces the snipers, near a Gorgon pistol.

Collectible 18: COG Tags - Hank Bissell

On your way out, shortly after Cole saves you, the tags can be found just inside the building.

Chapter 5: Captivity

Collectible 19: Stranded Journal (Jennifer)

After releasing Baird from his cell, check to the right in a small alcove.

Chapter 6: Intestinal Fortitude

Collectible 20: Car Gold Magazine

Head left as soon as you start the chapter to find the magazine on the floor.

Collectible 21: COG Tags

These can be a little hard to see. After you find Carmine, but before you reach the ramp, look around on the floor to the left.

Act 3: Gathering Storm

Chapter 2: Origins

Collectible 22: New Hope Journal

After Command tells you to proceed deeper into the facility, check in the small office to the right as you enter the new room. The journal is near a Boltok pistol.

Collectible 23: New Hope Memo

This collectible is in a small room connected to the main hallway. You have to kick down a door in this room to reach the memo.

Collectible 24: New Hope Medical File

Later in the chapter, you will come across a room with a few turrets on the ceiling, and a switch at the back of the room to deactivate them. In the small room behind the switch you can find the New Hope Medical File.

Chapter 3: Rude Awakening

Collectible 25: New Hope Journal

After exiting the facility, do not get on the train. Instead, go right, and go inside the small building. The New Hope Journal is on the floor at the back.

Collectible 26: Captivity Marks

Before boarding the final train, turn around, and go inside the building at the back of the train yard to find the Captivity Marks scratched on a wall.

Chapter 5: Displacement

Collectible 27: Stranded's Journal

After you fight the flame grenadier and destroy the gunboat, check in the middle of the area for a short set of steps. The Stranded's Journal is at the top of them.

Act 4: Hive

Chapter 1: Priorities

Collectible 28: Locust Terminal

The Locust Terminal is in the same room where you have to activate a terminal to search for Maria. Do not activate the first terminal yet. Instead, check the second terminal to get this Collectible.

Chapter 2: Answers

Collectible 29: Locust Prisoner's Journal

Once the Mauler, Theron Guard, and Drones have left or been dealt with, before checking the terminal, look to the left of it near the cavern wall to find the Locust Prisoner's Journal.

Chapter 3: Hornet's Nest

Collectible 30: Locust Jailer Document

Just downstairs from where you enter, turn right, and go down the small corridor. You will find the Locust Jailer Document on the floor.

Collectible 31: Human Finger Necklace

This Collectible can be easy to miss. After you defeat the pair of Grinders that come out of the large doors, you will need to Roadie Run to enter the small room with the Troika before the door closes. If you do not get through the door in time, Roadie Run up the steps and across the room to get in the second door before it shuts. The Human Finger Necklace is behind the Troika.

Chapter 4: No Turning Back

Collectible 32: Locust Calendar

Go up the stairs just after you start the chapter. The Locust Calendar is the round thing with glowing orange lights on it, against the wall.

Collectible 33: Locust Defensive Plans

After pulling the lever to extend the bridge, run across it, and turn left. The Locust Defensive Plans are at the end of the hall.

Chapter 5: The Best-Laid Plans

Collectible 34: Locust Invasion Map

Before getting on the lift, go around the outside of the palace to find the Locust Invasion Map in a little alcove just past the lift.

Collectible 35: Trinity Of Worms

Before heading down the spiral staircase, climb the staircase on the right (where the Grinder was). This Collectible is a pattern on the floor at the end of the hallway, beyond the stairs.

Chapter 6: Royal Inquisition

Collectible 36: Locust Tablets

Near the beginning of the chapter, the Locust Tablets are on the floor between two pillars. They are to the left of the computer room, near the corner.

Act 5: Aftermath

Chapter 2: Desperate Stand

Collectible 37: COG Recon Report

After the Raven clears the Locust off the platform for you, head right, and go down the stairs to the lower platform. The COG Recon Report is here, near some ammo.

Collectible 38: COG Tags - Sergeant Devon Jackson

During the final encounter, look on the floor to the right of the Longshot. The tags are on the very right edge of the platform.

Chapter 3: Free Parking

Collectible 39: Jacinto Sentinel Newspaper

Shortly after the fight in the courtyard, proceed to the next area, where you should have to fight a Grinder in the center. The newspaper is behind the wall to the right of the Grinder.

Collectible 40: COG Tags

The tags are near the end of the level, inside a ruined building on the left-hand side of the street.

Chapter 4: Tenuous Footing

Collectible 41: Stranded's Journal

After the building collapses, check in the corner behind a desk which you can destroy to find the Stranded's Journal.

Meatflag gamercards

Complete a game of Submission, then press Y to view the game stats. Scroll down to the Meatflag (Chaps, Franklin, or Hanley) to see their gamercard, complete with a detailed profile and unlocked achievements.

Jack Thompson reference

Enter the arcade room on the "Day One" multiplayer map with a character or the Ghost Cam. One of the fake arcade machines is entitled "Murder Simulator", a jab at attorney Jack Thompson, who often labeled Gears Of War (among other games) a "murder simulator".

Easy "A Parting Gift" achievement

At the main menu, select the "Multiplayer" option, and set the match type to "Local". You can play split-screen, and have the person going for the achievement swing a grenade with LT, but do not throw it. Have the other player down him (not kill him), and stand over his body. The grenade will also drop and kill both players. Do this ten times to get the "A Parting Gift" achievement.

Easy "Around The World, Again" achievement

At the main menu, select the "Multiplayer" option, and set the match type to "Local". You can set the match to one round with two minutes against one bot (or another controller). Then, just win on every map to get the "Around The World, Again" achievement.

At the main menu, select the "Training Ground" option. At the bottom of the list, choose the "Build Your Own" selection. Set the bots to one, difficulty to Casual, and rounds to one with two minutes. Press Start, and then select the map. Win a game on every map to get the achievement. Note: It is easier to play as the Cog team.

Easy "Hoard The Horde" achievement

While playing Horde mode, after wave 6 or 7, Maulers will start attacking. After killing a Mauler and picking up their Boomshield, tap A to plant it in the ground. Note: Guns and body parts cannot be in the way, and it must be a flat surface. However, Drones can knock them over; it is recommended to plant them facing in the opposite direction so the enemies cannot pass them in any way. You must pick them up at the end of every round and replant them or they will disappear. Plating one to two Boomshields on the stairs to one of the towers on the Gridlock, Jacinto, or Blood Drive map is an easy way to get the "Hoard The Horde" achievement while sitting just beyond the reach of a flamethrower.

Easy "Kick 'Em When They're Down" achievement

Perform the following eleven unique executions on an enemy to get the "Kick 'Em When They're Down" achievement:

Have two controllers, go to Multiplayer, and log in both players. Set the number of rounds to "15" and the time limit to "1". Select a map where you spawn close to the other character; the best one is Security. Switch back and forth between the players, and take turns killing the other one with the shotgun until you run out of rounds. You should be able to get 29 rounds in, timing at an average of 16 to 18 seconds per round, before you are forced to go to the multiplayer lobby and start over.

The following method is slower, but you do not actually have to play through the rounds. This trick requires two controllers, charge kits, and charge cords to prevent the controllers from going into sleep mode during game play. Go to Multiplayer, and set up a match of Warzone with a time limit of "1". The number of rounds are not important because when you enter the game with both players, you will just have them remain idle for the full minute. The round will be called as a stalemate, no one will get the score, and a new round will automatically start. You can do this indefinitely without returning to the multiplayer lobby as long as you have deactivated the automatic shutdown feature on your Xbox 360 and your controllers do not turn off and halt game play. If you allow the game to run in this manner for approximately five hours a day, you should get the "Party Like It's 1999" achievement within a week.

Easy "Pound Of Flesh" achievement

When you have a frag grenade, down an enemy bot or player. Tag them with the frag grenade by pressing B. Immediately afterward, press A to pick them up as a shield. They will explode from the frag grenade that would have killed you. Repeat this ten times to get the "Pound Of Flesh" achievement.

Easy "Seriously 2.0" achievement

This trick requires one account which has the "Seriously 2.0" achievement (source account), and a second account that you wish to have the achievement on (target account). Load the game with the source account while offline. Start the first chapter of "Training Grounds". As the game starts to load, press Xbox Guide, then press X to sign the source profile out. Select "Yes" to confirm that you want to sign out. Quickly press X again, and sign in the target account. If done correctly, the game will display a message stating that it will be returning to the main menu as the sign in profile has changed. Press A to return to the main menu. Notice that the target account is still logged in, and if you check the achievements from the main menu, you should now have 100,000 kills, but it will be shaded in grey (as yet to be unlocked achievements normally appear). Load any game type or campaign, kill one enemy, and the "Seriously 2.0" achievement will become unlocked.

Play Act 5: Chapter 5 - "Closure" in the solo campaign. Set the difficulty to "Casual" to make it easier to get more kills with splash damage. The level will start with a quick sequence where Marcus tells control he has "hijacked a Brumak." Press Select to skip the sequence and go directly into the level. Note: The sequence plays every time you restart; getting through it will save a lot of time in the long run. In the first three seconds, you will see two or three groups of Locust soldiers. Kill them as fast as possible, then select "Restart from checkpoint", and repeat. The fastest way to do this is as follows:

Skip the sequence.

When game play begins, move directly to the right until the "How to use Brumak" prompt appears.

Press A to skip it. No more movement is required.

From there, use LT to sight the Brumak's guns and rockets. Use rockets with X.

Target the back group of Grubs just coming over the hill. The reticule may not turn red, but the rockets will hit.

Fire a rocket burst, and while the burst is still firing, sweep the reticule down across the other Grub groups.

If done correctly, you should kill all the Grubs with one rocket burst before the Reavers hit you with their missiles. By using this strategy, you should get 100 kills every other round, with the occasional every third and next round depending on the number of kills you get per round. If done correctly, the rounds should only last about thirty seconds (including loading time in between rounds). This results in an average of 5,000 kills every half hour to forty five minutes.

Easy "Suicide Missionary" achievement

You can still get the "Suicide Missionary" achievement for completing the game on the Insane difficulty if you are playing in Co-op mode with somebody who is playing on a different difficulty. So have a second person play with you through the game, with them on the Casual difficulty. By doing this, when you are at a hard part, they can easily take care of it while you stay back and play it safe or snipe. You will also unlock the "Friends With Benefits" achievement by doing this.

Easy "Variety Is The Spice Of Death" achievement

Set up a local multiplayer Warzone match against a second controller. Set it to one round with two minutes. Set the map to Canals. Locate where the two players start. They are at mirrored locations at either end of the map. Quickly kill the second player with your equipped weapon (remembering to note the Torque Bow spawn point is located under a bridge in the center of the map). After the match has ended and you have returned to the Lobby, select the weapon spawning option. Change the Torque Bow to a weapon you need to get a kill with. Start another match on Canals. Leave the rest of the settings the same, though you may change from a COG to a Locust. Go to the Torque Bow spawn point, and pick up the weapon you changed it to. Then, kill your opponent with that weapon. Repeat this by changing the Torque Bow to the desired weapon before each match until you have earned the achievement. Note: You must get kills with the following weapons: Scorcher, Ink Grenade, Gorgon Pistol, COG Pistol, Lancer, Boltok Pistol, BoomShot, Hammerburst, LongShot, Mulcher, Shotgun, Torque Bow, Hammer Of Dawn, Frag Grenade, and Mortar. You do not have to kill anyone with the Smoke Grenade, Troika, or Boomshield. Melee attacks do not count towards a weapon kill. Additionally, you can use this trick to also get the "Kick 'Em When They're Down" achievement.

Achievements

Accomplish the indicated achievement to get the corresponding number of Gamerscore points: